The day Wally signed for me

Don't take that the wrong way, John, because we are nothing without our memories, and yours seems to be keeping you young!

The first time I remember hearing the name Wally Fielding, I was five or six years old and we'd moved house in Ormskirk to a nice quiet cul-de-sac.

Dad (a lifelong blue) proudly told everyone that Wally had lived in the house right across the road, having moved out only a couple of months before we'd moved in...

Kept him happy for ages that, and me and my sister learned all about the great man.

The only thing I'm sure of is that Stanley Matthews wouldn't have appeared in my book, I would have certainly remembered that.

Hi Sue, [3] I trust that my contribution has brought some happy memories of your childhood, and some pleasant days with your Dad.

I never got many autographs, in fact my autograph book had only one signature in it when I lost it to Alan Ball at Windsor Park. As the England bus eased through the crowd, I passed my book to Alan, through a small window at the top of the main window. The bus moved on and Bally shut the window, departing with my book.

So at one stage, at the peak of his powers, Alan Ball had Alan Mullery's autograph.... Bet he cherished it.

I'd like to endorse what John said in his article about Bobby Collins, in my sixty odd years of following Everton, no signing has ever had a bigger impact than that wee man. He dragged Everton from mediocrities to championship challengers until Catterick in his unique way got rid of him far too soon. Catterick did the same with Vernon, Gabriel and above all Alan Ball.

Thanks for the memories of that time, John.

Bobby Collins one of my favourite players for the Blues. I saw him at the Forum picture house (cinema) in town one night. The cinema was letting out, he caught me staring at him, he glared at me as if to say "Who the fuck are you looking at?" I was going to explain that I was an Everton fan and I knew who he was, but just left it alone,

It proved to me that Bobby had no ego, wasn't a big-time Charlie, but to me he was a massive talented footballer who was transferred too soon... although his replacement helped us to win the Championship.

Happy days... where have the happy days gone Bill!!!'

We were spoilt in the 1960s with so many fine players gracing the Royal Blue Jersey. Was it Catterick's flaw that he often sold great players too soon? It was often said that he broke up teams that had won something because he wanted to keep the hunger for more. I always thought that was rubbish; for me the likes of Collins, Vernon and Ball eclipsed Catterick as characters and as men and went beyond his ability to control them. It was a pity that Tony Kay was not allowed to stay long enough for Catterick to try to get rid of him as I think Kay would have sparked him!

I agree with Dave A about the early Hall of Fame nights at the Adelphi; the Nurnberg rallies were quieter! I remember the first one when the announcer greeted each Hall of Famer onto the stage with a handshake that he artfully turned into an embrace, whether the player liked it or not, for a photo opportunity.

Seeing this as he waited his turn, Ray Wilson was far too quick for any false embrace and was gone before the announcer knew what had happened. Many right wingers would have known that feeling after coming up against the Great Ramon!

I was the guy from Hall Green who used to drink with your nephew, John Mac Jnr, at all the away games but joined the forces in the late seventies and lost touch. I have since been reunited with your nephew and will be giving him a lift to the West Ham game.

He tells me stalwarts from that era, like John Twist, have passed away but the likes of John Brough Snr and Jnr, Keith Speakman and Tommy Garner are still with us.

They were great formative years for me, especially the drinking aspect. I never realised your origins, I assumed you were a born and bred Skemer but it was interesting to read.

My only regret was not being born 10 years earlier so I could have witnessed the 1960s teams. I still go home and away 47 years on but I do not enjoy it like I used to; it feels more like a duty than pleasure. Perhaps 30 years of not being able to compete for the title has taken its toll.

I remember you well, you used to collect programmes, John and I often said "We owe young Mick Summers an apology" he was referring to one occasion when we were standing outside the programme shop, and you said, what we thought was "I'm going in to see if I can get some 'Bacca Shoes'. We took the mickey out of you, until you managed to explain that what you were looking for, were 'Back Issues'. Belated apologies Mick and I'm sure John would join me in expressing that sentiment.

You are right in thinking that I played a prominent role in the Skelmersdale Travel Club, it was actually my brainchild, and you'll no doubt remember that we paid £1-00p a week in the close season and £1-50p a week during the season. £1-50p return to travel all over the country, not bad eh?

On the last week of the 1975/76 season, [because we paid our subs on the coach,] we actually saw games at Old Trafford, [Manchester United] Goodison [Middlesbrough], and the Baseball Ground [Derby County.] With a fee drink in a pub in Derby, the best £1-50p I ever spent.

I don't see much of our john and the last time I saw Keith Speakman and young John Brough, was at what used to be called the 'Knowl Brow' [John Twists watering hole,] now an eating place called the Coach House. Johns' young lady sent a few bob up from London so we could send him off in style.We spread his ashes outside Goodison, and I think of him every time I go to the match.

You may also recall that if we travelled to the North East, we always called in to a little pub in the village of Elland just outside of Leeds, to spend the evening. I can't remember the name of the pub, but because our John, and young Broughie were only sixteen, I had to keep an eye on them.

If we went to London and other southern venues, our stopping off point was a little pub in Wolverhampton, I think that was called the Pear Tree, many a pleasant evening there, playing pool and trying to stay sober, Our John will probably remember the names of the pubs.

'Happy Days'

I still can't stop supporting our club and players even though the game has changed so completely. My only claim to footballing fame was being invited by Stanley Mathews to join him and his son for coffee at a tennis tournament in the early 50s. His son never really made it in the tennis world anymore than I did!

Stanley was such a modest and wonderful guy. He talked about how fortunate he was to own a house and a Humber Super Snipe car from football!

Your memories have given me great pleasure.

Manchester United, Saturday April 17th, [away] when we paid our subs,

Middlesbrough Monday April 19th, [home]

Derby County Wednesday April 21st. [away]

Throw in the free pint, value for your ٟ.50p I would suggest. Cheers!

Yes, 30 bob a week was a bargain to watch Everton all over the country. I used to help John Twist on his milk round and he in turn paid the 30 bob subs.

I remember the last week of the 75-76 season well: Andy King made his debut in the Derby County game and scored twice in a 3-1 win. I wish we had his like in midfield now.

Reference the watering holes we adopted over the country, I remember the ones you mentioned and I think there was a pub in Northampton we used after London games also, although I cannot remember the name. Now you mention my "bacca shoes" – that too strikes a chord. My local Upholland accent, I'm afraid.

One journey that always sticks in my mind was not Everton-related but when we went to the Wolves v Liverpool game at the end of the 75-76 season to support Wolves in their attempt to prevent Liverpool from winning the league, such was our burning desire to see them fail. I got in for nothing on the night as the Liverpool fans smashed open the gates and everybody flooded in, wiping out the programme sellers in the process. The night ended in disappointment but, as you said, Happy Days!!

The Northampton stopover as I recall, used to have a disco. By the way, John died in 2015, I must have had a senior moment, it happens sometimes when you reach 79.

I can relate to all you've said started watching when 9d in Boys Pen or 1s/3d for under-14s to get into the ground. Nothing like it when we got back in Division 1, ground heaving every week. Every team had at least one great player/folk hero.

I played my football in the Zingari on Saturdays and Liverpool Premier on Sundays in the late 50s early 60s. I have convinced myself over the past few years that I have played with better players than many of the so-called stars of today. Great piece!

However, John McFarlane Snr triggered a memory. I lived in a gas lit condemned house just near Our Lady's Immaculate RC Church. I was 15 still at Old Swan Tech but doing Saturday work with a builder installing tiled fireplaces. So what you might say?

Well we had the radio on 4-0 half time 😱 then the dream began 4-1...4-2 .4-3. I had to wait until 1966 for a great comeback. Thanks John ps I'm in my 80th year

I believe we will have the greatest comeback this Season